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Saturday, December 31, 2011

Last night I was a knitting maniac. I'm taking my Get Things Finished rule very seriously. I'm into the fourth ball on my poncho - approximately half way done.

I found a jacket in my closet that is knit and just needs to be sewn together and the collar added. Really. Couldn't I have done this by now?

I considered starting sewing last night but it was 11 and I don't think that is a good time to sit down and sew.

The jacket is called Rochdale and is from Rowan magazine 46. It was an easy knit. Rowan Big Wool and large needles are a great combination.

My new law is that I have to finish two things before I can start something new. This doesn't include small things that I need for store samples such as a scarf. I can't wait to have many new garments to wear in the new year.

Friday, December 30, 2011

My pashmina scarf is progressing. I decided to continue until the yarn runs out. A scarf can't be too long. :)

That was as far as I got on my blog post yesterday. The store has been crazy all week (don't take that wrong-I'm not complaining) and then we have been out every night with friends. It is the season for visiting. I was a bit wiped out by 9 last night and couldn't come up with anything to write.

I have been knitting on my poncho. I would have liked to take a picture outside but it is very, very foggy in Ancaster today.

Yes, it is a big piece of stocking stitch. Some days it is nice to have knitting that you don't have to think about. :)

I have been knitting while watching TV, sometimes with a dog in my lap. Needless to say it is covered in Roko and Melo hair. I will picking it out every time I wear it.

New Years Eve is tomorrow night which has me thinking about the past year and what next year will bring. I realized that I haven't done much knitting the past year. There haven't been any fabulous garments finished and that is going to change in January. I have lots of sweaters and jackets almost done. I'm seeing new knitwear in my near future.

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

The Downtown Knit Collective (Toronto's downtown knitting guild) has teamed up with the Toronto Marlies hockey organization to bring a fun afternoon that raises awareness and promotes knitting in our communities.

Pucks n’ Purls will feature a professional hockey game between the Toronto Marlies and the Hamilton Bulldogs which are affiliates of the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Montreal Canadiens so there should be lots of on-ice and in-stands rivalry. Activities are planned before, during and after the game including Marlies Alley, Fastest Knitter Face Off, Duke the Dog Yarn Toss, and prize draws. Duke the Dog, Marlies mascot, will be presented by a toque or scarf designed and knitted by DKC members. Contestants are working on their entries now.

The activity that is creating the most buzz is the post game skate. This is an activity exclusive to Pucks n’ Purls ticket holders. Starting 15 minutes after the game, there will be a one hour free skate (no hockey) for 250 people on the Marlies ice. What a great memory!

On Thursday I received an email from the US post office that madelinetosh had sent me 4 boxes. What is in the boxes? I have no clue. I just called there and am waiting for an email with the specifics. It looks like tosh dk, merino dk and merino. No vintage or tosh merino light.

In yesterday's post I mentioned the game we played on Christmas. Irene had some questions.
-women buy for women and men buy for men
-we do $30-$40 for a gift
-we usually start with the women
-all women's gifts are on the floor and we sit in a circle
-everyone is given a number
-#1 starts and picks a gift
-#2 can take the gift from #1 or from the floor
-#3 can take from #1 or #2 or the floor
-If #3 took from #1 then #1 can take from someone else (not the person who took from her) or from the floor
-after you have been stolen from 3 times the next gift you take is yours-no one can steal from you
-the game keeps going until the last gift is taken from the floor

We always have lots of laughs playing the game.

It is later in the day and I received my invoice from madelinetosh. The boxes include

I have picked up Tudor Grace (a knitspot pattern that I am knitting in tosh pashmina) again. I'm not sure how long I want the scarf. It is definitely longer than the pattern, which is a good thing, but I have more yarn so I can keep going. Do I want to keep going or get it done and onto something else?

After I finished my post yesterday Beth realized that we hadn't wrapped a few presents. These were for the game at Aunt Rene's. Everyone brings a wrapped present. They are divided into boys and girls-substitute men and women if you want but at Aunt Rene's it has always been boys and girls. The girls go first-we are gentle compared to the men. The first girl takes a gift and then the next girl can take one off the floor or from the first girl. Everyone ends up with a gift. The game gets very loud.

Back to Beth. We had the same gifts to take (I bought them) and Beth decided that they couldn't be wrapped the same. The first was nicely done. The second box was wrapped and then Beth put it into another box which was wrapped. She ended up with five boxes inside of each other all wrapped. She went through a pile of my wrapping paper-luckily she knew not to take the really good stuff. I told her the last box should all be ends. Someone had way too much time on their hands yesterday.

She was proud of her work as would any five year old who wrapped a gift like this.

Dinner was great and we had lots of fun as we always do on holidays.

This morning I was up early. Okay, early for a holiday and in Pier 1 by 10. I came home with some Christmas decorations and wrapping paper.

Then we found out a cousin was home from Montreal so off we went to visit. Two hours later we came home, let the dogs out and then off again. Costco. You're thinking we are crazy but the store was dead. I've never been able to walk right up to the cash and pay. It was quick but expensive as is every trip to Costco. There are always things you see that you didn't know you needed. Then Best Buy. Yes, that was a bad idea. The store was jammed. We weren't there for very long and headed home.

Unfortunately while in Costco we didn't buy butter which was necessary for making dinner so I had to run out to the grocery store. Another quiet store.

The scarf is almost done. I think I have about 10 more rows. There will be pictures from work tomorrow.

It feels like midnight but it isn't 7 yet. Sleep could be in the near future.

Sunday, December 25, 2011

Merry Christmas. I hope you are spending time with family and friends.

The weather today is amazing. Sunny and not too cold.

My parents are in Myrtle Beach for a few weeks. Last night they went to church for a Christmas Eve service. The minister came over to say hi and noticed the people beside my parents were new to the church. They all started talking and the people are from Sudbury. When they got to Myrtle Beach their car broke down. It can't get fixed until next week. My parents have two cars there-the one they drive down and one that stays there year round. They loaned the people one of their cars until next week. My parents have the Christmas spirit.

I must say that I am very happy we aren't hosting dinner today. No cleaning the house. Preparing food for a week. Renting tables, chairs, dishes, cutlery, table clothes and napkins. No cleaning the house for the next week.

Our contribution to dinner is a cake and cookies. Doesn't sound like much but they are the first to go.

These are the sugar cookies. In our house when you add eggs to the mix that is considered baking.

Friday, December 23, 2011

Tonight Beth and I are having dinner with my best friend from university and her two sons. Last night we went to Walmart to get the kids Christmas presents. They are 13 and 10. Not an easy age to buy for. We were asked not to buy video games. Wow. That cuts out a lot. Girls are so much easier to buy for. We got them a Nerf dart game. We went at 9 thinking that the store might not be so busy. Wrong thought. The check out lines were long and people were buying all their groceries. Lets say that my patience was running a bit thin by the time we got to the car. Please remind me to do my shopping earlier next year.

I pulled out Spectra and vow to get it done this weekend.

Small problem. It needs to be blocked and I do that on the pool table. Bev gave Beth a puzzle for Christmas that is 4000 pieces. It is way too large for our dining room table so Beth is doing it on the pool table. There could be a fight on Christmas day. :)

I have caught the knitting bug again and really wish I could go home after work, put my feet up and play with my yarn. Tomorrow afternoon. And the bonus about tomorrow is that there will be lots of football.

Thursday, December 22, 2011

Cathy worked with me yesterday and got a lot of the tidying/cleaning chores done that I haven't had time to do. Yarn has been put away. Baskets were straightened. The store has been swept and is looking good.

We finished unpacking the last box from madelinetosh. Tosh merino light is well stocked. Good for you but bad for me. I keep pulling out colour combinations for Earth and Sky (the shawl pictured) as well as for the Creekbed Scarf. I will not start another project. :)

I left late in the afternoon for my dad's Christmas party. We had a good time with lots of laughs. Many of the men have been with the company for years - it's like a big family. On the way home Beth and I stopped at the grocery store. I think it is the first time in many, many years that the two of us have done that chore together. We shouldn't do it again for a while. It was expensive!!

By the time I got home I had to sit down and finish the scarf for my chiropractor. It is done and I just have to sew in the tail - which has been done since I started writing my post.

It is the Kidsilk Haze Creation in Smoke. We still have all the colours in stock but have been told that colour 1 (cream) and colour 3 (trance) are sold out which means we can't get any more when our stock is gone.

Here is the vest that is hiding under the scarf. I love anything with the leaf pattern and this vest is no exception. I forgot to add a shawl pin before taking the picture.

Here are pictures of the new shades of Alpaca Silk from Blue Sky Alpacas. I can't find the colour names right now and don't want to hold up my post. I already missed doing one yesterday.

The green is a bit darker and a bit more khaki in real life. A very nice colour.

Grey/mauve

Beige

I'm guessing that new colours means new patterns will be coming in the new year.

There are no Christmas events tonight but a bit of Christmas shopping still needs to be done. I think I would rather poke my eyes out than go shopping tonight but that's what happens when you leave it to the last minute. I think next year I am going to hire a personal shopper. Or maybe I should think about it a bit earlier in the year. The problem with that is I buy things, put them away and then forget about them.

Chris was amazing on the X Factor last night. I have totally changed my mind and want him to win. I think that he would be very entertaining in concert. Josh would be great to see in a piano bar. Melanie - it would be great to hear her sing one song and that's it. She has an amazing voice but not someone I would listen to for a few hours. I'm very afraid that when we watch the finale tonight they are going to say that Melanie won.

Ondas 96-back in stock

I was just about to hit Publish Post when Nick the Canpar Man walked in with a huge box of Katia Triana, Triana Lux, Ondas (including the colour pictured) and Ondas Lux. If you look above this post it says Cool Scarf Yarns. These are updated with the new colours we received.

I knit this Ondas scarf a few weeks ago and thought that I had put it on the blog. I couldn't find a picture of it in iPhoto. No picture on my iPhone. Then I went back through the blog and couldn't find a picture. I guess I forgot to show it. Seven stitches and one ball of Ondas.

So it has been a bit since I was working on my post and Ms. Canada Post brought in three boxes. One I can't talk about yet. I was asked to take part in a blog tour and the book we will be reviewing has arrived. I will talk more about that next week when I have time to sit and write. The next box was from Churchmouse Yarns. We ran out of patterns for the Easy Folded Poncho and Bias 'Before and After' Scarf. They are back in stock. The last box was from Crystal Palace Yarns. More sock yarn-Sausalito and Panda Silk.

I'm going to hit Publish Post now. I could keep writing but then I might not have anything to say tomorrow.

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Two of the three madelinetosh boxes came. The missing box had most of the tosh merino light but we did get four colours of tosh dk, five colours of tosh merino and four colours of tosh merino light.

We also received a box from Blue Sky Alpacas and Spud and Chloe that included three new colours of Spud and Chloe Sweater and three new colours of Blue Sky Alpaca Silk. These aren't online yet so I am going to try and get you pictures.

Here is the Spud and Chloe

7523 Lilac

7524 Chocolate Milk

This is a heathered brown tone. I took the pictures quickly and could have/should have done a better job.

7525 Manatee

This is a heathered grey tone.

Sorry no pictures of the Alpaca Silk. There was a lot of Christmas shopping happening in the store today.

It is many hours since I started my post. Dinner with my parents and their friends was great. Lots of laughs!

I quickly checked out Ravelry and in one of the Rowan groups they were talking about previews to Rowan Magazine 51. There are pictures on Rowan's website. If they are up for the public to view I'm taking it that I can put some pictures here.

Rowan Knitting & Crochet Magazine 51 sees key shapes which reflect a new confidence emerging within the wearer. The designs have been created for ease of movement and casual freedom giving a relaxed, summery vibe. The fun element is injected with a return to the retro resort styles where pattern and colour explode. The season is mainly understated, where nothing is outrageous. Rowan is promoting two stories Artisan and Riviera to reflect these trends. Essentials is the showcase for the key shapes of the season but translated into more simplified, easy to wear styles that will compliment the season's essential looks.

I had my post laid out nicely and then the pictures messed up. If I centre them everything works. This takes up more room than necessary and looks silly but at least the post is readable.

Grimaud

Knit this vibrant cropped style cardigan, with embroidery detail and a stylish pattern throught for an perfect Summer pullover. This pattern is for experienced knitters.

Details:

Designer:

Brandon Mably

Project Type:

Women

Project Subject:

Knitting

Recommended Products:

Cotton Glace

Pippa

Knit this wonderful textured tunic, with bobble stitch detail and long sleeve for those slightly cooler summer days. This pattern is ideal for the intermediate knitters.

I only knit a few rows on the pashmina scarf last night. We started watching a new trivia show called Who's Still Standing. The contestants are a bit annoying but Beth and I had fun trying to get the answer before the other person did. Small problem. You have to watch the TV to read the clues. Makes it a bit hard to knit.

Monday, December 19, 2011

Tonight Beth and I had dinner with Bev and her husband David. You can't beat a Christmas dinner at the Keg. We did a bit of planning for TNNA in January. Can't wait to see Phoenix-I like going to new cities. We've booked ourselves time for shopping on Friday. Beth is going to visit the zoo on Sunday. Beth and I are definitely golfing on Tuesday and if I hurry through the show on Saturday and Sunday then we will golf on Monday as well. Wow. It sure doesn't look like a work trip right now. I better plan a few meetings so it looks like I accomplished something while away. :)

I finished the Stargazer scarf this afternoon.

If you are going to knit with the yarn I strongly suggest you take a few minutes before starting to wind the yarn on a paper towel tube or wrapping paper tube. The yarn doesn't twist and knitting is so much faster. Trust me. So much faster!

I would also suggest casting on 10 stitches instead of 12. It will make the scarf a bit longer. If you are going with 12 stitches then you might want 2 balls of yarn. I like really long scarves so I would use 2 balls if making one for myself.

There are three boxes on the way from madelinetosh. I went online this morning and two boxes have cleared customs and the third box is sitting in customs. Fingers crossed they will arrive this week.

I wasn't shocked by Sophie winning Survivor last night. She had been strong in challenges throughout the game. She is smart and speaks well. Albert wasn't going to win. Which left Coach. It was close but I think Sophie's tears at tribal council helped a bit with the jury.

Tonight is the finale of Next Iron Chef. The tosh pashmina scarf is waiting for me.

Sunday, December 18, 2011

The scarf is progressing slowly. It is a simple knit but I have other jobs that need to get finished. There are two patterns on the label - the one I am doing with 12 stitches and the other is to knit the scarf lengthwise - I think it is cast on 125 stitches. When I'm done this one I think I will try that with another colour. I need a scarf for my chiropractor. Nothing like leaving it to the last minute. :)

Beth started wrapping Christmas presents last night as I was working on the scarf. The yarn kept twisting on me and I was getting frustrated. I was getting slowed down and I don't have time to waste. Beth being the smart ass that she is took my yarn and started wrapping it on the tube from wrapping paper. It doesn't twist anymore but it's a bit hard to carry around. :)

We cut the yarn after she finished the long tube and used a paper towel tube for the rest of the yarn.

Tonight we are having dinner with Jane and her family. The first Christmas dinner of the season. This year is going to be fun with the addition of two little ones.

The next week is going to be crazy. Dinner on Monday, Tuesday, dad's Christmas party on Wednesday and dinner on Friday.

Sunday
We had a great time with Jane and her family last night. It was the first time we met her grand children. They are both adorable.

These are my gift from Jane. They will be framed for my bedroom in Myrtle Beach.

Elizabeth Bradley Lilac

Elizabeth Bradley Hydrangea.

They are amazing!!

I took the pictures quickly so that I could get them put away before they became covered in dog hair.

I can't wait for Survivor tonight. Hopefully Ozzie will get back in the game. I wasn't rooting for Ozzie earlier in the game but I think his return will shake things up.

Thursday, December 15, 2011

I have been going between knitting projects. The purple poncho is progressing. I finished ball two last night and didn't have another ball wound so I moved to my tosh pashmina scarf. I have reached the number of repeats the pattern is asking for but there is yarn left so I'm going to do some more rows. In the store I have picked up Spectra again. There isn't much progress which is a good thing. That means the store is busy.

Survivor last night was great. Brandon giving up his immunity to Albert was priceless. There was no way that Albert was handing it back. I don't think that Albert will have any chance of winning the game now-the jury wasn't impressed by him.

I really want Josh to win the X Factor. If not Josh then Chris. I'm not a Marcus fan. It is hard to believe that he is still on the show. Melanie is a great singer but I can't bring myself to root for her.

Mr. Canpar and Mr. UPS have been busy bringing boxes this week. Rowan for the shelves. Knitting books. Needles. And some Malabrigo.

Two new colours of Malabrigo Sock are on the shelf.

671 Playa

670 Candombe

Yummy!

Copies of Malabrigo Book 3 are back in stock. From Malabrigo

Featuring 19 patterns created by 6 brave both well known and upcoming designers. Most of Malabrigo's yarns are represented on the book, including Rasta and Sock.

Scalloped Shawl knit in Sock

Scalloped Shawl knit in Sock

Cowl knit in Rasta

Beth and I finally got back to putting together book cases. Two more are done. It's time to start moving knitting books upstairs. Or it might be time to knit.

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

I had a blog post started and something came up so I hit delete and am starting again. Last week I mentioned an email from Offhand Designs with a preview of their spring fabrics. Pictures are on the Offhand Designs website so I'm sharing with you.

The bags will be in the store sometime in February. I have placed my initial order to make sure I get the bags I want. Bags can be added if there is something you need that I haven't ordered.

The fabric colours are amazing-there are two purple shades. I don't really like purple. :)

Did you notice the bag on the far right? It's the Zelda Grand. A bag from the past. I have a Zelda Grand - it looks small but holds lots.

Adeleaide Scottie. Also coming in Zelda Grand.

Charlotte Zelda Grand. Also coming in Scottie.

Catherine Zelda Grand. This one will be coming home with me. Okay, that is greedy. There are two on order so someone else can have one as well. I ordered Scottie in this fabric as well.

Marie Zelda Grand

Joan Zelda Grand. There is something about this fabric that is calling my name.

Switch Cases in the six new fabrics for spring.

All fabrics will be available in the four bag styles-Zelda Grand, Scottie, Zhivago and Audrey.

I'm excited about the new fabrics. I can't wait to see them in person-it's only six weeks until we go to TNNA in Phoenix.